“This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only son
into the world that we might live through him.” 1 John 4:9
Read 1 John 4:7-10
Christmas is the time of year when people are most sensitive to the needs of those around them. So, we donate food and clothes and toys and we work at soup kitchens and we invite someone to join our family festivities. Christmas overflows with acts of service, acts of kindness and acts of love.
The bible says, “we love because he first loved us.” (1 John 4:19) This is because God is the source of love. As a matter of fact, God himself is love. And it’s because of His great love for us that he sent his one and only son into the world so that we could live through Him. God’s love is deep and pure and unconditional and we are the blessed recipients of it.
When Jesus showed up on the scene, he changed hearts and lives with His love. If God is the source of love, Jesus is the example. He met people where they were and loved them with truth and compassion. He ministered to their physical needs and spoke life into their hearts. He loved them with the same unconditional love God showed by sending him here.
Poor and downtrodden? Jesus loves you!
Stuck in sin? Jesus loves you!
Demon possessed? Jesus loves you!
Sick and suffering? Jesus loves you!
To this day, when anyone comes before Jesus, he sees them, he listens to them and he loves them.
The love we get to experience through Jesus Christ is unlike any other. It wells up inside of the believer, growing larger and more abundant as our relationship to him blossoms. But the love of Jesus is not intended to just make us feel all good and gooey inside. The love of Jesus is not meant to be hoarded up and stored in our hearts for a rainy day. No! If God is the source and Jesus is the example then we, as the beneficiaries must use the love we have been gifted to love others in return.
Love is a verb. At Christmas and everyday let’s be intentional about putting the love we have been gifted into action by loving those around us so that they can receive the gift of Jesus as well.
Family Activity: Talk about the different ways your family, together and individually, can share the love of Christ at home and in your community.